In Lee's simple tent on the battlefield amid the ghostly trees of the wilderness his Adjutant-General, Walter Taylor, sat writing rapidly.
Sam, his ebony face shining, stood behind trying to look over his shoulder. He couldn't make it out and his curiosity got the better of him.
"What dat yer writin' so hard, Gin'l Taylor?"
Without lifting his head the Adjutant continued to write.
"Orders of promotion for gallantry in battle, Sam."
"Is yer gwine ter write one fer my young Marse Robbie?"
Taylor paused and looked up. The light of admiration overspread his face.
"General Lee never promotes his sons or allows them on his staff, Sam. General Custis Lee, General Rooney Lee, and Captain Robbie won their spurs without a word from him. They won by fighting."
"Yassah! Dey sho's been some fightin' in dis here wilderness. Hopes ter God we git outen here pretty quick. Gitten too close tergedder ter suit me."
The clatter of a horse's hoofs rang out in the little clearing in front of the tent.